Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Psychologist

The closing date is 07 April 2026

Job summary

Applications are being sought for psychology graduates who have a 2:1 degree (from a course accredited by the British Psychological Society) and an interest in working with older adults.The role will expect the successful applicant to work alongside both qualified and trainee clinical psychologists within a friendly and well-established older adult community Rapid Intervention and Treatment/Care Home Liaison team (RITT). Some of the duties may include: supporting the development of formulations, assisting with care-planning, attending MDT's, co-facilitating group work, and delivering a variety of evidenced based interventions. The role also provides opportunity for supporting clinical governance initiatives including reviewing and implementing outcome measures and a variety of audits.

You will need to demonstrate a high level of communication skills (written & verbal) and be able to work in emotionally distressing situations. Additionally, you must possess the ability to use computers for word processing, presentations, databases, spreadsheets and email. It is a varied and interesting job role and you will receive the management, training and supervision you need to enable you to contribute fully to the work of the team and build your experience towards clinical training.

Main duties of the job

1. To work within the Preston, Chorley and South Ribble Rapid Intervention and Treatment Team (RITT).2. To support the qualified Clinical Psychologists with individual and group work.3. To assist in the administration and interpretation of outcome related measures, collation and recording of statistics and production of relevant reports. 4. Under supervision from a qualified psychologist to assist in the professional and psychological care of clients within the service across all sectors of care by providing basic aspects of psychological assessment and psychological interventions.5. All clinical work and actions to take place under the management and supervision of qualified psychology staff according to an agreed plan and associated goals within parameters set out by the Division of Clinical Psychology and Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust departmental policies and procedures in connection with Assistant Psychologists. 6. Formal supervision with a named member of qualified psychology staff to take place on a weekly basis to facilitate work with additional frequent opportunities for informal contact with qualified psychology staff for guidance and advice. 7. Driving is a requirement of this post. Clinical activity involves sitting, often in a constrained position for long periods of time. Related activities will require the use of a VDU screen for approximately 50% of working hours.

About us

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.

The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.

Explore our full wellbeing offer here: Keeping our workforce well

Details

Date posted

24 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

351-CEN2485-CL

Job locations

RITT Central (65+)

Charnley Fold

Preston

PR5 6YA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Person Specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential

  • An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
  • Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.

Desirable

  • Handling complaints

Knowledge

Essential

  • A good knowledge of lifespan psychology applied to health care.
  • An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with psychological/mental health difficulties or other disabilities.

Desirable

  • Handling complaints

Experience

Essential

  • Contact with people with mental health difficulties and/or other disabilities
  • Experience of working within Multi- Disciplinary Teams.

Desirable

  • Handling complaints

Personal

Essential

  • Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively in both oral and written formats, and in environments which are highly emotive and stressful.
  • Commitment and ability to work with service users where there may be significant clinical, service, and system barriers to engagement.
  • Ability to work independently and using own initiative on a day-to-day basis. Ability to work effectively in multi- disciplinary and agency services and teams.
  • Computer literacy including skills in statistical packages, databases, and spreadsheets and in undertaking literature searches.
  • Understanding of clinical, personal, and professional challenges of working in institutional settings and with risk-related needs.
  • Research / service evaluation skills / knowledge Ability to organise and prioritise workloads within competing demands and goals,
Person Specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential

  • An upper second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
  • Entitlement to graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.

Desirable

  • Handling complaints

Knowledge

Essential

  • A good knowledge of lifespan psychology applied to health care.
  • An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with psychological/mental health difficulties or other disabilities.

Desirable

  • Handling complaints

Experience

Essential

  • Contact with people with mental health difficulties and/or other disabilities
  • Experience of working within Multi- Disciplinary Teams.

Desirable

  • Handling complaints

Personal

Essential

  • Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively in both oral and written formats, and in environments which are highly emotive and stressful.
  • Commitment and ability to work with service users where there may be significant clinical, service, and system barriers to engagement.
  • Ability to work independently and using own initiative on a day-to-day basis. Ability to work effectively in multi- disciplinary and agency services and teams.
  • Computer literacy including skills in statistical packages, databases, and spreadsheets and in undertaking literature searches.
  • Understanding of clinical, personal, and professional challenges of working in institutional settings and with risk-related needs.
  • Research / service evaluation skills / knowledge Ability to organise and prioritise workloads within competing demands and goals,

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

RITT Central (65+)

Charnley Fold

Preston

PR5 6YA


Employer's website

https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

RITT Central (65+)

Charnley Fold

Preston

PR5 6YA


Employer's website

https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Lead

Aimee Wharton

aimee.wharton@lscft.nhs.uk

07752502195

Details

Date posted

24 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

351-CEN2485-CL

Job locations

RITT Central (65+)

Charnley Fold

Preston

PR5 6YA


Supporting documents

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